Base Platform Insulation Procedures for a Pizza Oven

Written by bob white

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Building a pizza oven involves insulating below the hearth. (Pizza image by Daniele Cruciani.it from Fotolia.com)

Installing insulation between an oven floor and its base platform is an important step in protecting the oven's stand. A masonry wood-fired oven imparts a smoky flavour to the pizza while the heat retained in the oven floor can create a crispy crust.

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Wood-Burning Oven

A modern wood-burning pizza oven is a made from fire bricks or refractory concrete. A chimney is placed at the front of the oven and a small fire is started near the rear. Because of the insulating effects of the masonry, a small fire can produce a very hot oven. These hot temperatures are desirable for cooking traditional pizza.

Types of Insulation

Because a pizza oven can create extremely high temperatures, it is recommended that you use a ceramic fibre-insulating board or brick. This type of product can withstand temperatures of 1,000 to 1,800 degrees Celsius.

Foundation Slab

The oven enclosure should be supported by a strong concrete block or cast concrete foundation. A 6-inch wire mesh reinforced concrete slab should rest on top of the foundation.

Insulating Procedure

Place the ceramic fibre-insulating board on top of the 6-inch concrete pad, then place the oven floor on top of the insulation and continue construction of the oven dome.